REPL confers this award to encourage the Urban Planning students by recognizing their Post Graduate thesis. Entries were invited from all the AICTE approved institutes and ITPI offering Master’s degree or P.G.Diploma in Urban and/or Regional Planning. A jury, consisting of prominent planners evaluated all the thesis on parameters like innovation, practicability, depth of analysis and conclusions. Winners from three shortlisted students were then chosen by participants’ voting, based on their presentation in the event.

Speaking on the occasion, FICCI Real Estate & Smart City Director Ms Mousumi Roy said, “I really appreciate the efforts of REPL and Mr Pradeep Misra who is continuously encouraging and supporting the students. Such initiatives will encourage more talents to get into the field of planning, that country needs so much.Planning and managing the development of contemporary cities is one of the major societal challenges all over the world today. There is a tremendous scope for the urban planning graduates and such completions helpthem to think innovative and ideate new.”

Mr. Pradeep Misra (CMD-REPL) said, “This award is constituted in the memory of Late Shri Jagdish Prasad Bhargava, a renowned Urban Planner who served as the Chief Town and Country Planner, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh; President of Institute of Town Planners, India; and was the founder Chairman of REPL. Our aim is to encourage the young planners who will shape the urban landscape of the country in future”

The finalists were Priyadarshika Das, School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi(impact of Metro on Development of Twin City Kolkata & Howrah); Ms. Dhruvita D Zala, SardarVallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat(Resurging the Urban Spine of Vadodara City: Pan Project Proposal); and Ms. Pratibha Singh of CEPT- Ahmedabad (Assessment of TOD Policies and Implementation Process Cases of Delhi and Ahmedabad)

The 3rdBhargava Award Winner, Pratibha Singh said, “I had really put lot of effort on my Thesis. Winning this award from REPL acts as a kind of reassurance for my work. This is a boost at the very right time of transition from academics to professional life.”

Winner received cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh, while two other finalists were given Rs. 50,000/- each.